Getting to Santa Monica

By Plane: LAX Airport to Santa Monica

Santa Monica is 8 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-8GMT), in the Pacific Time Zone. The U.S. Daylight Savings Time is observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November.

Approx. Flying Times to LAX Airport From U.S. Locations:

Approx. Flying Times to LAX Airport From International Locations:

Shuttles: Rates for vans between LAX and Santa Monica start at approximately $15 per person one-way, $30-$40 round-trip per person, ($10-$20 for each additional person) not including tip. Shuttles are located on the lower level.

Taxi Cab Services: From LAX to Santa Monica, there is a flat rate of $35 North of I-10 and $30 South of I-10, not including tip (approximately 15% of fare). Once you arrive in town, Santa Monica offers a number of franchised taxi companies available for your travel needs.

Big Blue Bus: The Rapid 3 line runs between the Aviation Green Line Metro Station and downtown Santa Monica with additional stops within the city. From the transportation islands at the airport, shuttles run to and from the Green Line Station (Route G) and to the LAX City Bus Center transit station (Route C) at Parking Lot C, which is the best place to catch the Rapid 3. Fare is $1 (50 cents for seniors and passengers with disabilities). Allow about 20-30 minutes to make the shuttle connection and travel. The non-express #3, which makes more stops en route to Santa Monica (about 30 minutes to downtown) and in town, also operates from the transit center at Parking Lot C.

Rental Cars: There are a variety of rental car companies located at or near Los Angeles International Airport. The drive to Santa Monica takes about 15-20 minutes depending on traffic. Santa Monica also offers a number of convenient car rental options for getting around town. More information can be found online, through your travel agent, or by contacting Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau.

By Train & Automobile

Amtrak: Amtrak operates out of Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Terminal is located at Union Station, 800 N. Alameda Ave., Downtown Los Angeles. From there, taxis, shuttles, MTA buses or Big Blue Bus (the #10 Express; fare is $2) connect to Santa Monica.

By Car: A variety of Automobile, Limousine and Tour Companies are available, with offices all over Santa Monica. Please contact Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau for more information.

Getting Around Santa Monica

On Foot: Santa Monica is concentrated into just 8.3 square miles (13.5km). Most of the hotels, attractions, and primary shopping and dining districts are clustered within easy walking distance of one another.

By Bike: Santa Monica is a bicycle-friendly city, with well-marked lanes, routes, paths, and bike racks located all over town. We encourage you to rent a bike as a fun, economical, and green way to explore. Download a free bicycle route map. 

By Bus: Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus serves Santa Monica, the west side of Los Angeles, LAX and 10 neighboring communities with more than 1,000 bus stops. An express line connects downtown Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles.

By Car: Pacific Coast Highway (California 1), the Santa Monica Freeway (Interstate 10), Santa Monica Boulevard (Historic Route 66), and Wilshire and Pico Boulevards run directly through the city.

Getting to Neighboring Areas

Santa Monica offers easy access to the Los Angeles network of freeways with express routes all across Southern California – from Downtown Los Angeles to Disneyland, from Pasadena’s Rose Bowl to Malibu. Surface streets offer scenic routes between neighborhoods.

Big Blue Bus: Local lines serving Santa Monica, the west side of Los Angeles, LAX and ten neighboring communities. Express lines connect Santa Monica to downtown Los Angeles.

Metro Rapid and the Metro Bus: Serving Santa Monica, Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, the Valley and many other Southern California regions.